4-H riders use county show as warm-up

PALMETTO — Kristie Affolter had “Hold On,” by the Jonas Brothers, going through her head as she and her horse, Doc’s Lighting Bug, cleared fence after fence at the Manatee County Fairgrounds on Sunday.

“It’s a love song, but the title is fitting for jumping fences,” said the 15-year-old, who is one of Manatee County’s top senior hunter class riders and one of the county’s most passionate Nick Jonas fans, along with her twin sister, Ariel, who also rides.

Kristie and about 10 others competed in a two-day Manatee County 4-H open horse show that concluded Sunday at the fairgrounds.

The event is a tune-up for the upcoming Area E competition in late April at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, which will be followed by state and regionals.

Perhaps it was Nick Jonas’ singing, but Kristie scored enough points Sunday to capture circuit high point for the year in the Manatee County senior class.

She scored three second places, a first, a third and a fourth on Lightning Bug, an 8-year-old Paint.

“I was excited because we were able to clear most of the fences all day,” said Kristie, who is a freshman at Braden River High School.

Kristie smiled when asked if she would be nervous if Nick Jonas came to one of her riding events.

“That would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Kristie said.

Tabetha Lex, Stacie Herbach and Kathryn Varnadore also scored well at the event and are headed to Area E competition with a group of other county 4-H’ers.

Tabetha, 12, a Palmetto Christian School student, scored four first places, a third and a showmanship award over the weekend.

“I felt good because this is the first time I had Tiki in a show,” said Tabetha, speaking of her new 6-year-old quarterhorse.

Herbach, 18, and Varnadore, 18, could go all the way to regionals, said Diana Smith, 4-H coordinator.

“Stacie and Kathryn are graduating seniors from Palmetto High in their last year,” Smith said.

Herbach scored first place in two showmanship classes and Varnadore took a first place in senior hunter hack, a second in senior showmanship and a third in senior hunter under saddle.

Herbach is a member of Elite Equestrians and Varnadore, Affolter and Lex are members of Hoof Prints in the Sand.

All the competitors had support crew at the event.

“It’s hard to watch her jump, you hold your breath,” said Kristie’s best friend, Deborah Konnen.

“I love to watch them compete,” said Joan D’Avignon, grandmother of Kristie and Ariel. “I was never crazy about horses, but now I am.”

Richard Dymond, Herald reporter, can be reached at 748-0411, ext. 6686.